Automatic extrusion gripper assembly



Jan. 21, 1964 K. HARwooD ETAL 3,118,539

AUTOMATIC ExTRUsIoN GRIPPER ASSEMBLY 8 Sheets-Sheet l Filed sept. 25, 1959 R. H m psv N o EHauE Vfl/WMM s @www n F? um WH 0 5% n MNM A @m 0W B Jan. 21, 1964 K. L. HARwooD r-:TAL 3,113,539

AUTOMATIC EXTRUSION GRIPPER ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 23, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVENTORS EA/dAM/N F .SM/TH KENNETH L. HARM/OOD ARNOLD F INALLS WILL/AM F. MERED/TH ATTORNEYS Jan. 21', 1964 K. HARwooD ETAL 3,118,539

AUTOMATIC ExTRUsIoN GRIPPER ASSEMBLY 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23, 1959 ATTORNEYS Jan. 21, 1964 K. L. HARwooD ETAL 3,118,539

AUTOMATIC EXTRUSION GRIPPER ASSEMBLY 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 23, 1959 INVENTORS BENdAM/N F. SM/ TH KENNETH L. HARM/00D ARNOLD F. INGALLS v BY W/LL/AM Ff MERED/TH ATTORNE YS Jam 21, 1964 K. L. HARwooD ETAL 3,118,539

AUTOMATIC EXTRUSION GRIPPER ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 23, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 l Il len, um

IN VE NTORS. BENJAMIN F SMITH NENA/5TH L. HARM/000 ARNOLD F. INGALLS WHL/AM F MERED/T/- Jan. 21, 1964 K. l.. HARwooD ETAL 3,118,539

AUTOMATIC ExTRUsIoN GRIPPER ASSEMBLY 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Sept. 23, 1959 INVENTOR BENJAMN F SMITH KEA/Mem L. HARA/00D APA/m0 /-T ING/MLS MLU/1M. F MEPEO/TH ATTORNEYS Jan. 21, 1964 K. L. HARwooD ETAL 3,118,539

AUTOMATIC EXTRUSION GRIPPER ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 23, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 F l'g. 23

5M IILIVENTOR BENJAMN F.' /T KENNETH L. HPh/OD ARA/01D F. ING/MS W/LL/AM FT MEPED/TH ATTORNEYS United States Patent O AUTGMATIC EXTRUSIN GRWPER ASSEMBLY Kenneth L. Harwood, Arnold F. legalis, and Benjamin F. Smith, Grand Rapids, Mich., and William F. Meredith, Yoimgstown, Sirio, assignors to Light Metals Corporation, Grand Rapids, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Sept. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 841,301 4 Claims. (Cl. 207-1) rIhis invention relates generally to material handling apparatus, and more particularly to lthe use of material handling apparatus with and as a part of metal extruding equipment This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Serial No. 634,014 iiled January 14, 1957, entitled Extrusion Puller now abandoned.

Metal extruding processes require having a billet of the metal heated to a plastic or semi-plastic state. The billet is then placed in a container located in a press and disposed immediately behi-nd an extrusion die. A hydraulic ram is disposed behind the billet to provide a continuous force which causes the material of the billet to flow through the extrusion die and assume the crosssectional shape of the die opening. The extruded member or members is of a length dependent upon the size of the billet and the size and number or openings in the extrusion die. In those instances in which members of considera-ble length are formed, -it is conventional to provide a run-out table that extends for a considerable length from the press. Such tables support the extrusions as they are being formed, and are intended to afford -free ilow of the billet material as it passes through the openings of the extrusion die.

The material received through an extrusion die is in a pliable state and readily subject to deformation. Accordingly, it has long been a practice to provide workers to guide the material as it passes over the run-out table. The workers exert either no pulling force or a slight and steady force on the strip members as they are extruded and How out over the run-out table. Their purpose is to prevent the extruded strips from 'buckling or touching other extruded strips and to direct the strips in a straight path. The highly pliable state of the extruded strips causes the members formed to also be subject to deformation due to stretching.

The plastic or pliable state of the extruded members, causing such care to be taken in running them out, has heretofore discouraged manufacturers from using mech anical handling means in place of the workers mentioned. However, the use of manual labor has its limitations also. When several extruded members of considerable length emerge from a single die, more than `one or two workers may be required. Aside from the labor cost, the workers often get in each others rway in attempting to allow their extrusions to ilow naturally and in keeping them in a straight and free owing path.

This invention is directed to means for automatically receiving, engaging and directing an extruded work pierce, or plurality of Work pieces, out over the run-out table as they are being formed and expelled through the extrusion forming die. Such means includes work carriers that travel to and lfrom the extrusion press and which include work lgrippers for engaging and holding a work piece therein. Further, means of automatic actuation of the Work carrying means is incorporated within the work receiving heads thereof, so that the work member itself is instrumental in edecting the start of the run-out operation.

In brief, the material handling apparatus of this invention includes a plurality of overhead guide tracks extending between :an extrusion press and a support tower located at the end of the run-out table. Each track guides il@ Patented Jan. 2l, 1964 ice a separate carrier member. Each carrier member includes its own Work receiving head and means of engaging an extruded work member las it is received therein. Each carrier member also includes its own work gripper resetting mechanism. Further, they each make use of a control system interrelated with the gripper and its resetting means to effect their automatic run-out and return travel.

The objects of this invention include disclosing mechanical means of 'handling extruded work pieces during the metal extrusion process.

Another object of this invention is to disclose a guided work carrier having means of engaging an extruded work piece immediately as it emerges from the extrusion press.

Still another object of this invention is to disclose a work piece gripping mechanism which is actuated by the receipt of a work member therewithin.

A further object of this invention is to disclose a work gripper means which is part of a Work carrying device and includes means for automatically signaling the commencement of the carrier operation upon the receipt and engagement of a Work member therewithin.

A still further object of this invention is to disclose a mechanism for automatically releasing the work gripping means from engagement with a kwork piece, and for resetting -it for subsequent operation.

Pdso among the objects of this invention is to provide means for having the gripper resetting mechanism form part of the carrier devices and to be actuated at the end of its travel.

These and other objects of this invention will be more apparent -upon a reading of the specification which follows, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a side plan view of the extrusion handling apparatus of this invention.

B1G. 2 is an enlarged top elevational plan view of the extrusion handling apparatus of FG. l as seen from the section-line II-II thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side plan View of the trolley or carriage and work receiving support frame, of the extrusion handling apparatus, shown at the right in l.

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged cross sectional View of the trolley support means including the hanger as seen from the section-line ,lV-IV in FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a die and canister set up.`

FG. 6 is an end cross sectional View taken through the bank of Work handling devices of FIG. 3 along the section-line VI--Vl thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a partial, enlarged end View of the work handling devices of FIG. 3, as seen from the extrusion gripper receiving side of such devices.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view showing the canoe shaped bumper guards and guides as seen from the section-line VIII-VIII of FIG, 3, looking in the direction of the arrows thereon.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side plan View of the work gripper mechanism and reset mechmism of this invention showing the work receiving head as just reset for subsequent use and in locked position.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the exception that .the reset mechanism is relocated to show the gripper triggering mechanism in unlocked position.

FIG. 1l is similar to FIGS. 9 and l0 with the exception of showing the work Igripping mechanism as actuated.

FIG. l2 is a perspective View of the parts shown by FlGS. 9-11, exclusive of the gripper head.

lG. 13 is an enlarged side plan View of the upper part of a work carrier device to show the relative relation of the carrier and reset mechanism with respect to certain actuating controls.

FlG. 14 is an enlarged cross sectional end view of the work carriers oi this invention, as seenfrom the sectionline XIV-XIV of FiG. 13, looking in the direction of the arrows thereon. This view shows the relative relation of the carrier and reset mechanism with respect to certain control switches.

FiG. 15 is a simple schematic sketch of a control circuit for the motive means for the work carrier device.

FlG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternate gripper control mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the alternate gripper control mechanism shown by FIG. 16.

FIG. 1S is a side elevation view of still another modication of the gripper control mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view of the modified gripper control mechanism as seen from the section-line XIX-X17; of FIG. 1S, looking in the direction of the arrows thereon.

FiG. 20 shows a schematic, top plan, view of the grippers of the modied gripper control mechanism of FIG. 19 in a work piece gripping position.

FlG. 21 is a top plan view of an alternate gripper mechanism of the modiiied gripper control mechanism of FIG. 19, showing an arrangement for gripping two work pieces.

FIF. 22 shows a schematic, top plan, view of the grippers of the alternate gripper mechanism of FIG. 21 in a position gripping the work pieces.

PEG. 23 is a perspective view of a cam follower cylinder which is a part of the modiiied gripper control mechanisms of FIGS. 18-22.

Reierring to the drawings in further detail:

in certain instances the same reference numeral is used Yto designate separate but identical parts when there are several of these identical parts spaced closely together. This arrangement clarifies the drawings since it avoids crowding a multiplicity of unnecessary reference numerals into a small area.

The metal extruding apparatus includes a press lll (FIGS. l and 2) within which the actual extruding operation is performed. A run-out table 2li is provided at the extrusion gripper receiving side of the press it?. An overhead track arrangement, designated generaly as 3d, extends over the run-out table 2i? between the press ll) and a tower 4t) provided beyond the end of the run-out table. A plurality of extrusion handling devices, designated generally as Sti, are supported on the overhead track arrangement Btl. The extrusion handling devices S0 are adapted to travel separately from the press 16 towards the tower di? and, in so doing, to guide extrusions received from the press out over the run-out table 29. Y

rhe extrusion press lil includes a housing 1l having a cylindrical passage formed therethrough to receive the billet 12 oi material to be extruded and the press ram 13 which provides the extruding force. The housing 11 may receive the billet l2 in a preheated and semi-plastic state by any well known manner. Said housing includes heating means (not shown) to keep the billet in such a pliable state. A die 14, having a given number of die openings i5 (FlGS, 1, 2, and 5) ot a certain shape, is located within a support .16 immediately forward of the illet housing il. The support 16 is usually movable relative to the billet housing il to enable the ready eX- change of die forms having diierent extrusion forming openings,

Y A platen 1.7 is located forward of the die 14.-. r[his platen 17 includes a canister passage within which is disposed an elongated cylindrical member i8 generally referred to as ranister which has a plurality oi passages 19 (FG. 5) iormed therethrough. The passages 19 correspond in number to the die openings l5 ci a particular die member and are intended to receive and direct the extruded work ieces through the platen 17.

rEhe run-out table Ztl is disposed to receive extrusions passing from the canister 18. Accordingly, the height of the run-out table is substantially level with the lower edge of the canister passageways 19. The table includes a hat platform like graphite surface 2l which extends for a considerable length from the press lil. it is desirable to have the run-out table sufficiently long to accommodate the eze-:trusions from a single billet.

The overhead guide track arrangement 3b requires some form oi overhead support. Such support may be derived from hangers 31 attached to an overhead beam (not shown) depending from the buildin;I roof supports. T he hangers 3l are provided at spaced intervals as necessary to maintain guide track members 32 in substantially a horizontal position. A pair of parallel spaced bars 33 and 3d (FIG. 4), eparated by threaded bolt and lock unit means 35 and 35a are secured to the hangers 31 and have the guide track brackets 36 secured thereto. The guide tracks 32 are received through the brackets 3o and are held engaged within the brackets by the head end of the bolt means 37 that secures the brackets to the The guide tracks 32 are of inverted channel shaped cross sections with inbent flanges at their open lower sides. A plurality or" the guide tracks 32 are secured to the overhead hangers close parallel relation to afford distinctly separate tracks for dilierent extrusion handling devices designated generally as 5l?. The number of tracks 32 and devices Sil in use depends upon the number of work pieces that are to be extruded at the same time, as will be shown.

The drive means for the extrusion handling devices 5G, as they travel on the guide tracks 32, includes separate drive motors di, fila, dlb, die, and #f1-1d mounted within the tower lll (FIGS. 1 and 2). The drive motors 4l, 41a, llb, llc, and @2id each include a pulley 42, 42a, 42h, @2c and 42d, which drives one of a plurality of axially aligned pulleys upon which wire cables d4 travel. The cables d pass Vover idler pulleys d5 provided on the trame 46 on top oi the press lil. The ends of each cable i4 are connected to opposite ends of one of the extrusion handling devices 58.

The extrusion handling devices Si? each include a carriage or trolley portion, designated generally as oil (FIGS.

and 3) having a support frame, designated generally as 7d, secured thereto. Work piece gripping mechanisms or gripper devices t?, and tlb are mounted on three of the support frames to provide a three hole arrangement. The other two support trames do not have gripper devices but it should be understood gripper devices can be provided for less or more than three trames providing a one, two, four or live hole arrangement. A gripper resetting mechanism generally designated as 9d is provided within each of the support frames 7) and each frame also includes its own bumper guard and guide means 100, as will be described.

The carriage or trolley titl of the extrusion handling devices 5@ include an elongated bar 61 (FIGS. 3 and 4) having wheeled tracking members e2 that are received within the guide tracks 32 and have their wheels disposed for rolling engagement with the inbent flanges thereof.

The support frames 7d are secured to the trolley or carriage members byrneans of moun Lng blocks 6o. The mounting blocks, shown in more detail in my c opending application Serial No. 841,716 entitled iuller for Extrusion Apparatus and tiled September 23, 1959, now ?atent No. 3,058,587, issued October 16, 1962, are of a durable resilient material to aiord relatively vibration free and shock .resistant support of the frames itl on the carriers The s ort irai-nes member 7l (PEG. 3), o

comprise a h rizortal support tubular cross section for greater strength, having guide plates '72 (FIGS. 3, 6, and 13) secured on opposite sides and depending downwardly near one end thereof. A depending frame member '73 (FIGS. 3 and 6) connects a lower disposed support plate 74 to the guide plates 72. The lower support plate 74 in turn is braced by a diagonal brace '75 (FIG. 3) extending upwardly and secured to the forward end ot the horizontal support member 7l.

The gripper devices, generally 86, Sila, and Stil) are best shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 7 and 9-12. FIG. 3 shows each of such devices to be secured to the support plate 7L.- of frames itl along the vertically straight sides thereof. FIGS. 6 and 7 show that a selected number of the gripper devices 323, dba, and 8% are being used whereas blank spaces are left where two additional grippers could be installed. These gripper devices, which are slightly diilerent in coniiguration and arrangement, are for a 3-hole die.

The gripper devices Sd, Stia, and b each include a work receiving head El, 81a and Sib, secured to the support plates 74, '-ifz, and 74th of the carrier frame 7@ by the bars 92, @2a and 92b and bolt and nut assemblies 92'. This arrangement permits the easy removal of the entire gripper device 3b from carrier frame 7l) so that ditlerent gripper devices can be mounted on the frame for dierent arrangements required for l, 2, 3, 4 or 5 hole die Control rods S2, 82a and 82h are journaled in rod guides Ztl, Zba, and Ztllb for vertical reciprocal movement relative thereto. The rod guides itil., Zilla, and Ztitb are secured to the bars Z, 92a and $217. The lower ends ot rods 32, 32a, and 82.5 extend downward and have work engaging jaws or feet 33, 83a, and 83h extending into the work receiving members Si, Sla and 3th. In the gripper devices 8%, Sill), the rods 82 and 82h are centrally located in the work receiving member, but the feet 83 and $315 are offset from the axis of rods 82 and 8215 so that they extend over the extruded strips entering the work receiving members. In the gripper device Sila the rod 52a and foot or jaw 33a is centrally disposed in the work receiving member Sla. Coil springs Sd, 34a and Sb are disposed on the control rods S2, 32a and 82h and bear against rod guides 255i, Zilla and Zilb to exert a downward force on collars 3S, 35a and 85h xed to the control rods.

Basically, each gripper mechanism includes the same structure, and as a result only the gripper device Sti will be described in detail. This also applies to the reset mechanism hereinafter to be described.

The work receiving member ill has a door or gate part 86 (FIGS. 9, 10 and l1), closing one end thereof. An operating lever 87 is secured to the door part `and is pivotally connected to the rod collar 35, at its other end. This arrangement is best shown by FIG. 1l. The door operating lever S7 is also engaged to the work receiving member Si by a pivotal link member 33'. A tension spring 89 is engaged between the work receiving member ofi and the operating lever 87, at the connection of the pivotal link SS thereto. The spring 8%' tends to keep the door part S6 closed over the end of the work receiving head Sl. When the door member 86 is closed the force of the compression spring 84 acting on the rod collar 8S provides an over-center locking arrangement through the pivotal link S'.

When an extruded work piece enters the work receiving member Si, and comes into contact with the closed door part 86, it moves the lever $7, which carries the link SS past the over-center relation and the compression spring 8d drives the gripper jaw down simultaneously as the trap door 8d opens.

The gripper device 8@ is operatively connected to a resetting mechanism, designated generally as 99, which is disposed thereover. Each gripper device has a corresponding reset mechanism.

A U-shaped sleeve Eke member 91 having a slot @la in the lower portion receives the gripper jaw actuating rod S2 therewithin. A spacer spring or sleeve 39 is provided on the rod and a pair of lock nuts 89a are secured to the rod. Spring 89 seats on the sides of slot 91a which keeps said spring S9 at all times Within sleeve 91 as is clear from FIGS. 9-l2. Thus, the member 91 is reciprocal relative to the rod S2 within the distance available between the end oi the spacer spring 89, when engaged with the lock nuts 89a, and the xed guide bar Ztll. The entire gripper device Sil when detached from plate 74 is removable from member 91 by merely sliding the upper end out of the space between the sides of member. In so doing rod 32 slides in slot 91a.

A guide follower roller 93 is mounted at the upper end of the sleeve like member 9?. between its sides. This roller is intended to ride upon a horizontally reciprocal cam surface ot the reset mechanism 99.

The reset mechanism llt) includes a pair of bar or rod members @fr and 95, termed top and bottom, respectively, disposed horizontally and with their axes lying in a vertical plane. The top bar 94 is bent downwardly and interconnected with a straight portion of the bar 95 in overlapping relationship. The bottom bar 95 is bent upwardly and secured to a straight portion of the top bar 9d. This results in a member of trapezoidal configuration. One short side of the trapezoid forms a cam shoulder 96 on the uppermost bar 9d which is intended to lift the sleeve like member 9i by means of the guide follower roller $3 thereof as it rides thereove The interconnected rods 9d and 95 are guided for horizontal movement by a roller 97 mounted between the carrier frame plates '72 and a hanging guide 98 depending from the carrier frame member 7l (FIG. 3).

Small collar guide butt-ons 99 are provided on the outside o the shait that supports the guide following roller 93, at the upper end of the member 91. These guide buttons are received between the edge of the carrier frame plates '72 and the edge of a guide plate 99 secured to the frame member 7l for the express purpose of forming a vertical guide slot for such buttons. Accordingly, as the interconnected rod members 13 and 95 are reciprocated back and forth, the sleeve like part 9i is raised and lowered due to the travel of the roller 93 over the cam shoulder 96 and the restraint against other than vertical travel imposed by the guide slot forming parts 72 and 9%.

Referring now to the sequence of operational positions of the gripper and resetting mechanisms Sti and 9i), shown Aby FlGS. 9-11:

When the roller 93 rides over the cam shoulder 6, the U-shaped member itl moves the spacer sleeve 39 upward. The spacer' sleeve 8g engages the lock nuts 89a causing the gripper rod 82 to be lifted. rl`his in tuin raises the gripper jaw 33 and closes the door 86 over the end of the work receiving housing 8l.

The return of the roller 93 to the bottom of the cam shoulder 96, as in FIG. 10, will not affect the gripper mechanism due to the free travel afforded the end of the sleeve like member 89 between the lock nuts 89a and the control rod 82. However, should a work piece engage the trap doop 86, the gripper is triggered and the rod 82 moves the jaw part S3 into engagement with such work piece.

In the course of travel of the carriers Sti, along table 20, they are guided relative to each other by the canoe shaped guards Ertl@ (FGS. 2, 3, and 8) attached to the respective carriers. The use of such guide and guard means for the carriers in transit and for orienting the work receiving eads S1 at the press, is best described in our copending patent application SN. 841,72() entitled, Extrusion Puller Equipment, and filed September 23, 1959. In brief, the the canoe shaped guards are formed by elongated members ldd and M2 secured horizontally on each side of the carrier to brace 7S and frame member 73 by brackets 75' and 73 respectively, and converging together at their ends. This enables them to guide the carriers, as shown by FIG.

aliases 8, and even when one carrier lags or advances beyond another. 'heir converging or tapered ends assist in nesting the carriers together, at the press, within guides 47 mounted on frame 46. Also provided for positioning the carriers at the press is the plate 47a which has ti-shaped cut out portions for receiving the tapered V-shaped ends of the canoes as shown by FlG. 2.

At the end travel positions for the carriers d, stops 63, which are adjustable along the guide tracks, and i'lxed stops Mld are located for engagement and actuation of the reset mechanism 90. Stop lll is m u ted on the guide tracks .Sil near the end of the run-out table 2S, as best shown by FlG. l. Stop 31% is mounted on the housing part i6 on top of the extruding press 1li.

The end of rod M3- engages stop lil?,y as the carrier approaches the end of the run-out table Ztl. This causes the reset mechanism 9d to be moved relative to the carrier and the roller 93 to be raised on the cam shoulder @6. As the sleeve like housing 21 is raised it engages the spacer sleeve $29 and raises it into lifting engagement with the lock nuts :39a on the gripper control rod 82. As the control rod is lifted, the gripper jaw 83 is released from the work piece and the rod collar 85S causes the door lever 37 to close the door or gate part do, with the assistance of the tension spring h. As mentioned, the operating link 3S is arranged to provide an over-center locking condition when the door or gate do is closed over the end of the work receiving housing.

The reset mechanisms have their rod parts 94 projecting outward towards the press lo during the return travel of the carriers 59'. As they approach the press ld, the rods 94 engage stops lil-t. The reset mechanisms are stopped and the carriers 5d over run the reset mechanism and allow the rollers 93 to return to the bottom or" the cam shoulder This movement does not immediately `affect the gripper devices i other than to cause them to be left in a readily triggerable disposition; as shown by FIG. 10.

When a work piece W enters the receiving housing part 8l. and engages the door part 8o, as in FIG. 10, the mechanism is triggered and the gripping jaw is moved into worlt holding position.

The control rod part d2 includes a control switch actuating member lili at its upper end. The switch actuating member is guided within the connes of the sleeve like member 9i `for vertical reciprocal movement with the control rod 82. Accordingly, when the gripper mechanism 89 is tripped, upon receipt of a work piece, the switch actuating member is moved downwardly and, as shown by FiG. 13, contacts and actuates a control switch r"he arrangement of control switches `ldd andactuators N5, for the diierent carriers Si?, is best shown by FIGS. 3 and 13.

The control switches ldd are connected to the carrier drive motors 4l, da, etc. as shown schematically by 14, to eect energization or clutching thereof and initiation of the carrier operation.

Switch members HE7 may be mounted on the end stops 1%, as shown by FIG-l, for engagement by the end of the carrier guides 98 at the run-out position. Such switches are connected to the drive motors el, dla, etc. as are switches 106, to eiect a reversal of their drive direction and a return of the carriers Sti to their original positions near the extruding press lil. Other switch means 10S, also connected to the drive motors 421, dla, etc. as are switches 196 and la7, are disposed near the extruding press l0 for engagement by end flanges liii@ on the carrier frames 7?, when the carriers are nested toge her at the press. These switches l `also aect a reversal of the drive direction of motors di., dla, etc. so that they are ready to operate in the right direction when the cycle is again initiated by the switch means lilo.

To coordinate the return of the handling devices 5d, a retarder gate il@ Vis provided as shown by FlG. 7. rlhe retarder gate is a pivotal bar lll mounted on one of the handling devices 5l) and adapted to assume either a noninterfering vertical position yor an overlapping horizontal relation to the other handling devices. 'lhis is best shown by HG. 7. Automatic or manual means may be used to dispose the bar 111 in a horizontal position at the start of, or at some determinative position during, its return travel. The handling device which includes the retarder gate is set to have a slower return rate than the other devices. Accordingly, the other devices will come into yalignment with the slower device during the return travel and all will be aligned upon approaching the extrusion press l0.

Operation The electrical controls for this invention are not an integral part of tlr's invention so no illustration or detailed explanation is considered necessary. However, for a complete Vdescription of lsuch controls, and their interrelation with other mechanism mentioned, reference should be made to our copending application SN. 841,800, tiled September 23, 1958, and entitled Method and Control Apparatus for Pulling Extrusions From Dies.

The number of work handling ldevices SG to be used for an extrusion operation is dependent upon the die form that is used. A separate work handling device is to be used for each 4opening in the die le.

The work handling devices Sil are mounted on the guide track arrangement 39, in the manner mentioned. The elected die l@ is mounted in the support lo. The proper canister 1S, with the required passages for the selected die, is mounted in the housing i7 forward of the die. The press is thereafter placed in operation and the press ram acts against the end of the billet to cause the extrusion of metal through the die.

The extruded work pieces are received through the canister passage i9, from the die le, and are directed towards the run-out table 20. The work pieces pass into funnel members SS, du, and @Sb which `are a part of the work receiving housings 8l, dla, and Sib. The funnel guidance arrangement is best disclosed in our copending patent Vapplication SN. 841,720, entitled, Extrusion Puller Equipment, and iiled September 23, 1959. When an extruded piece W engages the door or gate the clamping mechanism is triggered into operation. As the clamping rod S2 drops, under pressure of spring Se, the drive motor switch actuating member 1% activates switch lilo and starts the carrier drive motor el.

rl'he handling devices Si? travel at a moderate rate dictated by the ilow of metal through the extrusion die 14. Only very slight pulleying pressure is applied. During the run-out operation, over table "Ztl, the shock mounts 66 ailord substantially complete vibration and shock isolation between the work carrying :or supporting frames 7d `and the trolleys od. The bumper guards ldd l1seep the handling devices 50 laterally spaced.

As the handling devices if@ approach the end of their travel, the gripper resetting mechanism 9h engages the stop l-rlf near the end of the track system rl-'he interconnected rods 94 and 25 are moved relatively within the support frame 70 and the gripper devices Si? are released from engagement with the work and are reset for subsequent operation. Continued travel of the work devices 553 causes the hanging support bracket 9S of .the frame 7%, at the forward end thereof, lto engage the drive motor control switch 107. The switches 107 eiect a reversal of the direction of drive within the drive motors el., 41a, dll), @le and dit? so that the handling devices 5t? are readied for their return travel to the die'l.

After the extruded work pieces are removed from the work receiving members Si, Sla and Sib as by removal through an open side thereof, or other means, the ha ling devices 3l, 8l@ and Sib are ready to be returned to the press 1%. The return travel is'much more rapid than the forward travel. However, as mentioned, one oi the drive motors l, ela, dilb, die and dlr] is set to return its handling device 50 slower than the others. It is this handling device which includes the retarder gate 110. The retarder gate 11:3, in its horizontal position, keeps all of the handling devices laterally aligned so that they approach the press it) together. The bumper guards 19t) again serve to maintain the proper relative lateral spacing of the handling devices. They also serve to prevent them from weaving in and out during their relatively rapid return stroke.

As the handling devices Si) approach the press lll the reset mechanisms @il are themselves reset for operation by engagement with the stops 104. The switch actuators 16S for the drive motors 41, 41a, 41h, 41C, and 41d on the gripper jaw control rods 82, 82a and 82h have been previously repositioned in reloading the gripper mechanisms Si), 80:1, and S'llb. Accordingly, they are in position to inactivate the drive motors 41, 41:1, 41b, die, and did when the handling devices l) are back in their starting positions.

The different handling devices 5l) are further assured of being properly positioned, upon their return, by the stationary guides 47 and 47:1. The convergent use of the outermost guards ibi? of the handling devices cooperate with the fixed guides 47 and 47:1 to cause each of the handling devices to nest properly at the extrusion receiving end of press 143 ready for another run.

Modijcatz'ons An alternate form of gripper control mechanism is shown by FIGS. 16 and 17.

The gripper mechanism 18@ is secured to the carrier frame 79 by welding or any other suitable manner. The gripper housing 131 which is a U-shaped member turned on its side, is secured to the lower end of the support member E92 by bolts (not shown). The housing 131 is open at its front and rear ends. A rod l82 extends through the top plate of the housing and has secured on its bottom end a clamping plate or jaw T133. Its upper end is slidably mounted in the bearing 134:1 fixed to support The rod and clamping plate are biased downwardly by means of the linkage arm 14:5, lever 14%7 and spring 184.

A releasable trigger means is provided for normally locking the clamping rod 182 and clamping plate ISS upwardly. This trigger means includes the pivoted gate or tri ger ld pivotally mounted to the back end of the housing ll. This gate i3d, when closed, covers the entire back opening of the housing whereby when an extruded strip enters the housing and passes therethrough it must by necessity strike it. Gate is normally held closed by the over center toggle linkage 137 which includes the links 137:1 and lb pivotally connected together at the knee 1.38. Link 157:1 is pivotally connected at its opposite end to the block 185. The link 1875, which comprises two pieces pivotally attached to each side of link 187a is pivotally connected at its other end to the bar i189 which is secured to and extends upwardly from gate 186. A stop member 1629 extends upwardly from the housing 181 providing means that prevents the knee l from entirely collapsing inwardly toward rod 182. It also provides a pivot point about which the link lb pivots when the gate 186 is swung upwardly. The toggle linkage 187 is arranged so that when the gate is swung downwardly the two links 137:1 and 137]) are slightly over center and locked in that position. In this position (FIG. 17) the force exerted by the spring 134i through lever 147 and link 146 is incapable of forcing the rod 1182 and clamping plate 1&3 downwardly. However, when the gate 186 is pivoted upwardly the link T3715 in pivoting about the point of contact with stop member a99 breaks the knee joint 188 outwardly in a direction away from rod 182. This eliminates the locking edect of toggle linkage IS7 and permits the rod and clamping plate to be forced downwardly by the spring ld. A spring T89 is provided for positively holding the gate 156 open by the force applied through link 187b.

lll

A micro-switch loll is mounted on the frame at a point where it is actuated by the joint between the lever 146 and link 147. In the position of FIG. 17, this switch is open; however, when the gripper device is triggered the lever 146 and link la7 move out of engagement with the switch lo@ closing its contacts and energizing one of the pull motors such as motor 41:1. In this respect the switch serves the same purpose as switch itl-5 (FIGS. 3 and 13).

In this modification the work piece W is released from the gripper jaw, upon the extrusion handling device reaching the far end of the run-out table, by grasping the lever 147 and manually raising the jaw 83. The trigger mechanism i537 is also reset during the same manual releasing operation.

FIGS. 18-22 show other' modifications of gripper devices. Two modifications are shown in these tigures; however, they basically have the same structure. The only difference is that FIGS. 18-20 show a gripper device for a single hole die and FIGS. 21-23 show a similar type device for a two hole die.

Referring to FIGS. 1849 and 2-0, reference numeral 23? designates the over-all gripper device which is arranged to be mounted on the plates 74 previously described. This gripper device 23d includes the two upright supports 299:1 and Z55-b having the openings 291:1 and Zllb, respectively, for attachino the bars and supporting the units on the plates 74 (FIGS. 9-12) of the frames previously described.

Each of these supports it-lla and Zb have a guide collar 231:1 at their upper ends. Attached to the lower ends of the bars is the rectangular support plate 292 wmch spans the distance between the two bars 296:1 and 29911 and extends forwardly and rearwardly thereof. The support plate 2% supports two guide blocks such as designated by 2%@ igned with the guide collar 2Sla The guide collar and guide block have openings 289:1 and Zita, respectively, vertically aligned with each other and receiving the actuating rod 232g. Actuating rod 23217 is received by similar openings (not shown). These two actuating rods 282:1 and SZb are adapted (but not shown) to be connected to the resetting mechanism such as 9d of FIGS. 9-l2. Secured to the rods ZZa and Zdb are the operatinfy or actuating collars 255:1 and 23512 which are located between the guide collars and guide blocks. The spring 23er; is located between the guide collar 28de and the operating collar 252561. Similarly, spring Zddb is located between its guide collar (not Shown) and actuating collar Zb. These springs serve the function of biasing the actuating rod downwardly which in turn moves the operating collars 235g and 285] downwardly for actuating the clamping jaws 233:1. and 233i; which will now be described.

The two jaws 53a and 283]: are substantially identical and comprise a semi-circular member having the serrations or teeth 399:1 and wh, respectively. The clamping jaws are connected to the shafts 367e and Stlb extending through and below the support plate Teil2 and extending upwardiy to the bearing plate 295. The shafts 397:1 and 3h75 are supported by the bearing plate 2% which in turn is supported on the bearing supports 295:1 and 2%!) attached to the support bars 29th: and web, respectively. The top end of the shaft 397:1 or 3t7b has a reduced portion extending through the opening 298e of the bearing plate 2%. Bolt and nut assemblies 398:1 and tlb, one for each of the shafts, rotatably support the shafts on the bearing plate 295. At their lower ends, immediately above the plate 292, the shafts tla and 3h71; are journaled in openings such as opening 299:1 of the bearing block 297:1.

Between the bearing plates 2% and the caring blocks are located the cam follower cylinders Sla and 36327, the structure of w'rdch is shown in more detail by FIG. 23. Cylinder Stltla, which is identical to cylinder St'ldb, consists of an arcuate plate Zilla bent into a semi-circular adjacent one end of said table; a work engaging jaw member operable withm said work receiving head, an overcenter mounted trigger mechanism operatively connected to said work engaging jaw and disposed for engagement and activation by an end of said attenuated work moving in said work receiving head for actuating said jaw for gripping the work; and cam means carried by said support and operatively engaged with said jaw member for the retraction thereof from work engagement and the resetting of said trigger mechanism, said cam means including a cam member reciprocal in the direction of the run-out table and having surfaces of varying levels, a cam follower means riding on said surfaces and connected to said jaw member; means located adjacent the other end of said table and in the path of said support means for actuating said cam member in one direction along said run-out table causing said cam follower to ride from a surface at one level to a surrace at another level thereby moving said jaw member to retracted position; and means located adjacent the said one end of said table in the path of said support means for engaging said cam member causing it to'move in an opposite direction along said run-out table `and said cam follower to ride from the surface of higher level to a surface of lower level thereby permitting the jaw member to be released by said trigger mechanism.

3. Work receiving apparatus for use with attenuated moving work comprising; a run-out table; support means adapted for reciprocal travel throughout substantially the length of said run-out table; a work receiving head provided in worn receiving relation on said support means when adjacent one end of said table; said head having a lower clamping surface; a work engaging jaw member mounted for reciprocation within said head above said clamping surface for clamping said work between said jaw and clamping surface; a rod extending upwardly from said jaw member; spring mems biasing said rod and jaw member downwardly into clamping position; a trigger means pivotally mounted over the outlet to said work receiving head for engagement by said attenuated moving work as it moves through said head; and a link means operatively connected to said trigger means and rod for restraining the rod and jaw members from clamping when said trigger is in one position and for releasing said rod and jaw member in another position of said trigger, said link means and said trigger means including an overcenter toggle having a knee that breaks from one side of centerto the other side of center and on said one side said trigger means is in cocked position with the rod and jaw member' in an up position restrained from moving downwardly while on the other side said trigger means is in uncooked position permitting the rod and jaw member to move downwardly whereby said trigger means can be easily reeocked by merely moving said rod into up position.

4. Work receiving apparatus for use with attenuated moving work comprising; a run-out table; support means adapted for reciprocal travel throughout substantially the length of said run-out table; a Work receiving head provided in work receiving reiation on said support means when adjacent one end of said table; a work engaging f w member operable within said work receiving head; said jaw member being rotatable from a non-ciamping position to a clamping position; a reciprocal rod having a rst cam member attached thereto; a second cam member attached to said rotatable jaw member and cooperating with said first cam member whereby reciprocation of said rod rotates said jaw member; spring means for biasing said rod in one axial direction for rotating said jaw member to clamping position; release-ble restraining means resisting the bias of said spring for holding said jaw member in non-clamping position; and a trigger means operatively connected to said restraining means for releasing said restraining means in response to the moving oi said attenuated work into said work receiving head against said trigger means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. WORK RECEIVING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH ATTENUATED MOVING WORK COMPRISING; A RUN-OUT TABLE; SUPPORT MEANS ADAPTED FOR RECIPROCAL TRAVEL THROUGHOUT SUBSTANTIALLY THE LENGTH OF SAID RUN-OUT TABLE; A WORK RECEIVING HEAD PROVIDED IN WORK RECEIVING RELATION ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID TABLE; A WORK ENGAGING JAW MEMBER OPERABLE WITHIN SAID WORK RECEIVING HEAD, AN OVERCENTER MOUNTED TRIGGER MECHANISM OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID WORK ENGAGING JAW AND DISPOSED FOR ENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVATION BY AN END OF SAID ATTENUATED WORK MOVING IN SAID WORK RECEIVING HEAD FOR ACTUATING SAID JAW FOR GRIPPING THE WORK; AND CAM MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT AND OPERATIVELY ENGAGED WITH SAID JAW MEMBER FOR THE RETRACTION THEREOF FROM WORK ENGAGEMENT AND THE RESETTING OF SAID TRIGGER MECHANISM, SAID CAM MEANS INCLUDING A CAM MEMBER RECIPROCAL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE RUN-OUT TABLE AND HAVING SURFACES OF VARYING LEVELS, A CAM FOLLOWER MEANS RIDING ON SAID SURFACES AND CONNECTED TO SAID JAW MEMBER; AND MEANS LOCATED ADJACENT THE OTHER END OF SAID TABLE AND IN THE PATH OF SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID CAM MEMBER IN ONE DIRECTION ALONG SAID RUN-OUT TABLE CAUSING SAID CAM FOLLOWER TO RIDE FROM A SURFACE AT ONE LEVEL TO A SURFACE AT ANOTHER LEVEL THEREBY MOVING SAID JAW MEMBER TO RETRACTED POSITION. 